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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ranco(u)r, Ranko(u)r, n. Also: rankc-, ranck- and -oure, -ure, -er. [ME and e.m.E. rancor, -our inveterate ill-feeling (Ancr. R.), rancidity, rankness (c1400) also ME rankor (14th c.), -ure, e.m.E. ranckor, ranker, OF rancor, -our, -uer, raunkour, etc., late L. rancōr- rancidity, rankness, also fig. a grudge.]

1. Festering hatred or animosity; bitter dislike or resentment; a manifestation of this. b. With indef. art.: ? In the same sense; ? a grudge.(1) a1500 Bernardus 131.
Geff that it happynnis throw rancor or inwy The for to haf a dedly inimy 1490 Acta Conc. I 153/2.
[They] sall … ask the said Robert and his frendis … to remitt to thaim the rancour of thar hartis 1490 Irland Mir. I 51/24.
The persoune puttis furth all hatrent, rancoure and syne 1495 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 596.
The rankcour of ouir hartis 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 980.
I will … haue mercie …, Do slaik my wraith, and let all rancour be Id. Æn. viii i 50.
The rancour all of goddis … And boldynnand wreth 1533 Boece 211.
Quhat rankoure was amang Scottis and Pichtis 1535 Stewart 30218.
This quene … Throw greit rancour did in hir hart ascend … murdreist this ilk king 1548 Cal. Sc. P. I 143.
Ranker 1549 Compl. 92/12.
The discentione and discord and rancor that ryngis amang ȝou 1560 Montgomery Mem. 159.
We … renuncis … the maleis, rancour and hatrent of our hartis and myndis … for the … slauchter of the said vmquhile Schir Neill 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1425.
Rankcour Ib. 2762.
Wist he trewlie of my great displesour, … he wald incres sa in rankour That this countrie … suld sair repent a1568 Bann. MS 93a/87.
Rankour 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (S.T.S.) 400.
Efter deith rancour commounlie ceissis 1578 Reg. Privy C. III 3.
Sum, in quhome rancoure and seditioun is … groundit 1596 Dalr. I 110/33.
The displeisour and auld rancour of the furious hæretiks against the Catholiks 1603 Reg. Privy C. VI 582.
Ane … barbarous … crueltie … in stryking … of Mr. Johne Chalmer … without any caus of feid or rancour bot onlie insencit with iyre 1609 Acts IV 434/2.
Rankour 1615 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 28 March.
Rancure a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 300.
Rancor 1642 Saltoun Kirk S. in Reliq. Antiq. Sc. 156.
That every on that keips ranckour, malice, and envie towards their neighbours, … sall be debarred from the Supper of the Lord 1666 Laing MSS I 349.
Rankor(2) 1491 Lennox Mun. 143.
Al rankour, wnkyndnes, iniuries or hewenes done to him be the said master Mathowb. 1533 Bell. Livy I 190/24.
This Tulius had ane auld rankoure aganis the Romanis 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 132.
Thow haueing conceavit ane rancour and mallice in thy hart aganis James Willicok and his wyff 1607 Crim. Trials II 524.

2. Rankness; an instance of this. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 12874.
Bot all the roust the rankoures of the syn Sall cleve with thé quhen saull and liffe sall twyn